Carolina Beach mulling whether to invite bikers

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The talk of Pleasure Island is whether to formally invite bikers to Carolina Beach who for years have gone to Myrtle Beach. Those pushing for the invitation say it would bring a much needed economic boost, while those against say it would damage the town’s reputation.

From residents to visitors, the majority of people we spoke with Tuesday did not mind the idea of inviting select biker clubs to Carolina Beach on the same week Myrtle Beach plays host to hundreds.

“We would like to have a part of this,” Danny Swinson said. “We would like to have the revenue here to keep our employees working.”

Swinson, an employee at Drifters Reef Motel, is the man behind the push to bring bikers in during Myrtle Beach’s Bike Week. He has asked the town get behind his plan to send out a formal invitation to select motorcycle clubs whose members include veterans and first responders.

“These are people with families, these are business professionals that may put on a bandana and blue jeans on the weekend and jump on their bike and come down here,” Swinson said.

Mayor Joel Macon has some concerns.

“I think really the problem for Carolina Beach is not that we don’t want to be the beach for everyone. It’s just that logistics-wise and size-wise it’s just not a fit,” Macon said.

Some people we spoke with feel the same way as Macon. One visitor said the problem is not the bikers, but the crowds and traffic.

“I wouldn’t mind if they’re here, but I would try to stay away and come during the quiet times,” said Kate Dalrymple, who was visiting from Raleigh. “But if it brings in revenue for the town, then I have no problem with it.”

Carolina Beach Town Council is scheduled to discuss whether it will support the invitation at its meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. a Town Hall. We’ll have the results tonight on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 11.

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An influx of bikers to Carolina Beach would have a negative impact on the neighborhoods like mine that are located off of River Road. It would create an unsafe situation for both bikers and families who turn onto River Road from their communities. The expanse of River Road is a notorious invitation to speeders.Moreover, bikers are good citizens; however,it is when they come en masse that a perception problem ensues. Carolina Beach has worked so hard to shed its negative image; its reputation is still fragile- too soon to embrace the biker brand!

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Paradise Lost

2015 years 8 months ago

Carolina Beach has done a lot over the past decades trying to overcome its historically seed y reputation from calling itself Pleasure Island to saying it is family friendly. However, many locals think of Carolina Beach as Wrightsville Beach’s slutty sister. It is like going to your high school reunion where everyone knows what you did and with whom in high scool. There have always been bars, old hippies, and at one time a country music ruined life song and a XXX movie theater. The mayor may want the “professionals that put on blue jeans and a bandanna” but he is also going to get thong clas over inked bad-aaes too. Do the sitizens of Carolina Beach really want this type of invasion? Like the old saying ” you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.”

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Guest461

2015 years 8 months ago

It’s a bit bitchy and pompous to speak of “negative impact” to “your subdivision” because of motorcycle traffic. The saki-suckers constantly speed up and down River Road like the think they are on a race circuit. River Rd. is already a “notorious invitation” to anyone wanting to test out a performance machine, be it a car or a bike. Mostly locals use River Rd. to speed like idiots, tourists coming in for a rally wouldn’t even know about it. Funny to see all of the mangled guardrails, out of control skidmarks and accident reports, but you rarely ever see a patrolman on River Rd. Wonder why they aren’t protecting “your subdivision” from the “negative impact” that already exists?

Perhaps you should have researched the “subdivision” where you live before you moved in to find out what “negative impact” already existed!!! Sounds as if a little aforethought could’ve saved you a migraine or ten.

Now, would someone bring this person some CHEESE to go with their WHINE???

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Guest

2015 years 8 months ago

Along with bikers come the horrid noise of their exhaust all through the day and night, the drunken riders blaring through neighborhoods and there is absolutely NO WAY TO STOP OTHER BIKERS FROM COMING DOWN HERE AND GETTING INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES. If you think this is a good idea you are totally out of your mind. NO ONE goes near Myrtle Beach on biker week except bikers. Carolina Beach has come such a long way in cleaning up and presenting itself as a family friendly town. You are going to destroy it overnight if you allow bikers to come in and take over the streets, motels, businesses and sidewalks. What in the name of common sense are you thinking?

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Guest525

2015 years 8 months ago

Public streets, tax payer paid. Don’t see how they can keep them from riding through! I see a class action law suit if some are invited in and others not!

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Cookie

2015 years 8 months ago

I’ve been using Dawn dish washing soap for about five years now. I really have come around that I really like it. I know what some people say about Dawn, but I don’t think I believe what they are saying.

Uh…..wait….this is not the Dawn forum is it? OMG! I hate when I do that!

You all go ahead and talk about what yall were talking about. Never mind me.

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Rumplestilskin

2015 years 8 months ago

Excuse my honesty, but Carolina Beach has worked so hard, and is just now shedding its image as a redneck/burned out hippy, druggie haven. You’ve spent a lot of money trying to emphasize the wholesome, family-oriented beach.

Why would you try to return to your former image?

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WilmMan

2015 years 8 months ago

It’s still considered a redneck beach by just about everyone…having a bike week won’t change their image

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Das Weibstück

2015 years 8 months ago

“select motorcycle clubs”. So its not Black biker week or the Hells Angels ? Let them come. I have been to Biker week at Myrtle Beach and I am not a biker. Went to the exhibits and things, it was not loud to me. It was interesting.

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WilmMan

2015 years 8 months ago

Have you seen the problems caused during black bike week in Myrtle Beach??? I wouldn’t want black bike week either.

As far as other certain biker clubs, we already have a “brother” charter of the Hells Angels in Carolina Beach

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Guest81

2015 years 8 months ago

Maybe they could go to Wrightsville Beach?

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Guestafer

2015 years 8 months ago

“business professionals that may put on a bandana and blue jeans on the weekend and jump on their bike and come down here”

Please no. This is the worst kind of biker. Rite Aid pharmacist monday thru friday, badazz saturday and sunday. No thanks, keep your shiny bikes in the driveway and sit and talk about the good ole days.